Counter



ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 7,1920.

4 sssssss SHEET 1' E. H. BEKKERING.

COUNTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3. 1916.

1,361,562. Patented Dec. 7,1920. I

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY E. H. BEKKE'RING.

comma.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3. 1916.

Pdtented 1m. 7,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UN m nu Hull l x s I l IIHI' WHWHHHHH ATTORNEY E. H.'BEKKERING.

COUNTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, 1916.

v 1,361,562- Patented 1m 7,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- W WW INVENTOR. M1 43% ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

EARL HENRY BEKKERING, F DULUTH, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO DULUTH SHOW CASE COWIPANY,

OE DULUTH, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF MINNESOTA.

COUNTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7', 1920.

Application filed November 3, 1916. Serial No. 129,264.

' units which may be assem led in any desired relation to meet the necessities of individual users t iereof.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a counter of unit construction nich when ;-;,-;id character and presents the appearance of a so 'dly constructed counter.

3* object of my invention is the 1 further pl'GYlSlOH of a display front for a counter wherein various articles or merchandise may be arranged to illustrate the character of goods on sale without subjecting such goods to the deteriorating action of dirt or vermin or to loss due to a tendency of customers to sample the goods.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the counter from the rear thereof;

Fig. 2 is a similar view from the front of the counter a portion thereof being broken away to illustrate the construction;

ig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the drawer units of the counter;

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the bin unit of the counter;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the counter, and

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the units illustrating-the latter separate 1.

Referring to the drawing, 1, 2 and 8 indicate separate units which may be arranged in any suitable relation, the units being interchangeable and capable of being substituted one for the other. The separate units are mounted on continuous bottom rails & and the integral top 5 is secured thereover, the whole being fastened to produce a rigid assembled is of a substantial and ner. Intermediate horizontal frames are secured to the side frames 7 between the top and bottom frames 8 and 9 in the drawer sections to support the drawers 11. Intermediate vertical frames 12 divide the space between the side frames 7 to provide compartments in which the drawers 11 are disposed. Obviously the size and arrangement of the drawers 11 may be varied widely, but I have found in practice that the two arrangements illustrated at the right and left of Fig. 1 are best adapted for average conditions and that counters constructed of these units meet all of the requirements of the average storekeeper.

The bin unit is constructed in a manner exactly similar to that just described except that the horizontal intermediate frames 10 are omitted. Within the compartments formed by the intermediate vertical frame 12 in this unit bins 13 are disposed. The bins 18 each comprise front and rear walls 14 and 15, respectively, side walls 16 and a bottom 17. The bins are preferably constructed in the manner illustrated and described in my copending application, Serial No. 121,961, filed September 25, 1916. Steel rollers 18 secured to the bottoms 17 of the bins rest upon the bottom frames 8 bearing against blocks 19 secured to the bottom frames. The bins are thus permitted to rock so that the contents may be readily reached and withdrawn therefrom and the bins as readily moved to closed position. The structure of the bins is such that they are balanced regardless of the amount of material contained therein.

Secured at the front of the bottom frames 8 are members 20 which support the display fronts 21, the upper edges of the latter being held between the front edges of the top frames 9 and a molding 22 secured to the top 5. The display fronts 21 may be locked in position by hooks 23 secured to the bottom edges of the display fronts and engaging suitable eyes 24 on the under-sides of the members 20 or by any other suitable fastening means.

The display fronts 21 each comprise a frame of a size equivalent to the front of each unit and provided with a plurality of openings. The lower portion of each frame is directed outwardly so that the lower openlngs are positioned to permit the contents thereof to be readily seen by a person standing in front of the counter. Within each of the openings a glass 25 is disposed and rearwardly of the glass a slide 26 is mounted in suitable grooves in the frame and capable of lateral movement so that the slide may be removed when desired to position goods of varying character within the compartments. The slides 26 may be of metal or other suitable material. The display fronts are bodily movable from the counter and may be rested thereon face downward while the slides 26 are withdrawn. The goods may thus be readily arranged in an artistic manner upon the glass 25 after which the slides 26 may be replaced and the display fronts again secured in position.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have perfected a counter which may be constructed in any desired length from standard stock units, the arrangement and character of the units being varied to meet the particular requirements of the individual user. By carrying in stock tops 5 and rails 4 of varying lengths it becomes possible to quickly assemble a counter of the desired character and size, thus obviating the necessity of preparing special plans and specifications and building up the counter to fill each individual order. Thus a great saving in time and expense is accomplished and 1 am enabled to furnish a counter having numerous improved features at a cost which is materially less than the cost of building a counter in the usual manner to meet the needs of the purchaser.

Obviously various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the material advantages there of, the form hereinbefore described being merely the preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a counter, the combination of front and back bottom rails, a plurality of interchangeable units of corresponding size mounted on said rails, a continuous top secured on said units, detachable ends for the counter secured to the outer sides of the end units, and a front comprising a plurality of units removably secured in position and each having a plurality of display compartments, some of said compartments being angularly disposed in relation to the other compartments.

2. In a counter, the combination of a plurality of interchangeable units, each unit forming a complete storage compartment section and all of the units being of the same exterior dimensions, bottom rails to support said units arranged side by side in alinement, a continous top secured to and above said units, detachable members for the counter secured to the outer sides of the end units, a bead fastened on the under side of the top at the front thereof and spaced from said units, a support in front of said units at the bottom thereof, a front for said counter comprising a plurality of units removably secured in position at the top behind said head, the units resting on said support at the bottom, and means for securing said front units in place.

3. In a counter, the combination of a plurality of interchangeable units, each consisting of a skeleton frame-work adapted to support a plurality of storage compartments, said units forming complete storage compartment sections of identical exterior dimensions, means for supporting said units in assembled relation, a continuous top secured to and above said units, and a front comprising a plurality of units removably secured in position and each having a plurality of display compartments.

l. In a counter, the combination of a plurality of interchangeable units, each comprising a skeleton framework adapted to support a plurality of storage compartments, means for supporting said units in assembled relation, a continuous top secured to and above said units, and a front comprising a plurality of units removably secured in position and each having a plurality of openings, glass disposed in each of said openings and removable walls behind said glass forming therewith compartments for the reception of goods to be displayed.

EARL HENRY BEKKERING.

Witnesses:

E. L. DERBY, H. D. SMEAD. 

